How to Give a Cat a Pill: Tips from the Pros

PetWah
By PetWah 12 Min Read
12 Min Read

It’s not easy to give a cat a pill they have sharp claws and teeth, and they’re experts at spitting out pills. But don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you out. First, check with your vet for any restrictions on how the medication should be administered. Then follow these simple steps to make sure your cat gets the medicine they need!

Giving Pill to Cat methods

Give it with their food

The most common way to give a cat a pill is to hide it in their food. It’s best to use their regular food so they don’t get suspicious, and if you can, chop up the pill into smaller pieces so it’s less noticeable. Once you’ve done that, mix it in well and put the bowl down for them to eat as usual.

If your cat is on a special diet or you don’t think they will eat their food if there’s a pill in it, you can try one of the other methods below.

Just remember: never force your cat to eat anything. If they really don’t want to eat the food, it’s best to leave it and try again later.

Giving the tablet by hand

How to Give a Cat a Pill
How to Give a Cat a Pill

If you can’t hide the pill in their food, your next best option is to give it to them by hand. First, put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from their claws. Then, hold the pill in one hand and offer them a treat with the other. Once they start eating the treat, quickly pop the pill into their mouth and close their jaw so they have to swallow it. Stroke their throat gently to help them along if need be.

This method works best if you have someone else with you to help distract and hold your cat while you give them the pill. But if you’re on your own, you can try wrapping them in a towel to keep them still. Just be careful not to wrap them too tightly and make sure they can breathe easily.

Using a pill pocket or similar product

There are some commercial products on the market that are designed to make giving pills to cats easier. Pill pockets are small, soft treats that you put the pill inside, and then give to your cat like any other treat. Your cat won’t even know they’re eating medicine!

If you decide to go this route, just be sure to follow the instructions on the packet carefully. Some pill pockets need to be moistened before you add the pill, while others should be given dry.

Putting it on their paw

This method is a bit of a last resort, but it can work if you need to give your cat a pill and there’s no other way to do it. Put the pill on their paw, and then wait for them to lick it off. It might take a little while, but eventually, they will.

Just be warned: this method doesn’t always work, and some cats may end up swallowing the pill whole instead of licking it off their paw. So if you decide to go down this route, keep an eye on your cat and be prepared to give them the pill another way if necessary.

How to feed a Pill to your cat using your own hand?

How to Give a Cat a Pill
How to Give a Cat a Pill
  • First step: Do not put yourself in harm’s way by allowing your cat to bite you, and keep an eye on them for indications that they are becoming enraged or upset.
  • Put your cat on a flat, secure surface such as the floor or a tabletop. To prevent them from sliding, consider placing down a towel.
  • Hold the pill in one hand and, using your other hand, support it over their head with your thumb and index fingers on either side of their jaw while tilting their head up. Open their mouth with the other hand by gently opening their lower jaw.
  • Place the pill in the middle of their tongue with your index finger, as far back as possible.
  • Close your cat’s mouth and then gently massage their throat for a few seconds before returning their head to its normal position and waiting for them to lick their lips as they swallow.
  • If you think your cat has ingested the pill, inspect its mouth and the inner corners of its lips. If you can’t spot the pill, you’re unlikely to fail.
  • If you notice that they haven’t consumed it, try placing it at the back of their tongue again, closing their mouth, and softly rubbing their throat. You might squirt a little water into their mouth to encourage them to swallow the pill, but not too much since this might cause them to choke. It’s sometimes better to let them spit everything out and start over.
  • The procedure is completed once your cat has recovered from the drug. The final stage is to offer your cat their favorite food and toys after they’ve taken their medicine. This may help to create a favorable connection between receiving medication and getting a treat, making the process easier in the future.

What is the easiest way to give a pill to my cat?

There are a few things you can do to make giving your cat a pill easier. First, try hiding the pill in something that your cat likes to eat. You can use canned cat food, baby food, or even tuna fish. If your cat is resistant to eating wet food, you can also try wrapping the pill in a piece of deli meat or cheese.

Once you have the pill hidden inside of the food, offer it to your cat and see if they will eat it willingly. If not, don’t worry – there are other ways to get the job done.

If your cat still won’t take the pill, you may need to resort to force-feeding them. To do this, hold your cat close to your body with its head pointing up. Open their mouth and place the pill as far back on their tongue as you can. Close their mouth and hold it shut, then stroke their throat until they start to swallow.

It’s not always easy to give a cat a pill, but with a little patience and perseverance, you’ll be able to do it! Just remember to check with your vet first for any specific instructions on how to administer the medication.

How do you give an uncooperative cat a pill?

How to Give a Cat a Pill
How to Give a Cat a Pill

It’s not as simple as it sounds: cats have claws and teeth to avoid, and they are experts at spitting out pills.

Here are a few tips from the pros on how to give your cat a pill:

  • Wrap them in a towel. This will help keep them calm and also protect you from their claws.
  • Put the pill in a piece of food. Cats are attracted to certain smells, so this may be enough to get them to eat it without realizing it’s medicine.
  • Use pill pockets. These are little treat-sized pouches that you can put the pill in and seal shut. Most cats will go for the treatment without noticing the pill inside.

If you’re still struggling, check with your vet for other options or tips. They may be able to recommend a different type of medication that’s easier to administer. And remember, always check with your vet before giving your cat any kind of pill or medication.

Is it OK to crush pills for cats?

You might be tempted to crush the pill into a powder and mix it into your cat’s food. But this is not always a good idea. Some medications are designed to be released slowly over time, and crushing them can make them work too quickly. This could cause serious side effects. So always check with your vet before crushing pills for cats.

What is a pill popper for cats?

A pill popper for cats is a small, handheld device that is used to help cat owners give their cats pills. The pill popper has a small cup on one end that the pill is placed in, and a plunger on the other end that is used to push the pill into the cat’s mouth.

Pill poppers are available in different sizes to accommodate different-sized pills. Some pill poppers also have a built-in sharpener so that you can easily crush the pill into a powder before administration.

If your cat is resistant to taking pills, there are also flavored gel options that can be squirted directly into your cat’s mouth. These gels typically have a strong flavor (such as chicken or tuna) that will mask the taste of the medication.

All methods to feed Pill to a Cat

How to Give a Cat a Pill
How to Give a Cat a Pill
  • Gather your supplies. You’ll need the pill, a small amount of food (enough to cover the pill), and a syringe or dropper (without the needle).
  • Place your cat in a comfortable position. If they’re resistant, you may need to wrap them in a towel to keep them still.
  • Drop the pill into the food and mix it around until it’s well coated.
  • Using the syringe or dropper, place the medicine-covered food directly into your cat’s mouth. Be careful not to touch their teeth or tongue with the syringe!
  • Give them a little bit of water from a cup or spoon to help wash down the pill.
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We at PetWah adore pets and want to give them the finest goodies they’ve ever had. We understand the significance of knowing what to feed your pets and what not to feed them.
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